Glad to hear that you solved your problem.
Windows Activation problem. Lost product key
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(185.6, 16%, 27%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EAB%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Andrey Bushkov
0
Reputation points
Hi!
I've bought a retail version of windows a while ago. I think it was windows 10 pro
Since then I had the key linked to my account and had a number of reinstalls, new devices etc. I stopped using original usb, cause it got damaged over many years. Linking my account was enough
Recently I've built new PC, connected my account and this time Windows didn't activate
Can I somehow revive the product key? Can you see on your end the fact of me owning the license?
Cheers,
Andrei
Windows for home | Windows 10 | Licensing and activation
-
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(204.8, 96%, 29%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3END%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Neil D 34,200 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator2026-09-02T18:48:37.43+00:00 You need to find the original product key that came with the licence. Although it is linked to your account when that doesn't work you need the physical product key.
I assume you have used the Activation Troubleshooter and selected I changed hardware and that doesn't find the previous system that you had activated.
You must make sure that if you think Pro edition was purchased you must install Pro edition for the licence to activate. Likewise for Home edition.
-
Andrey Bushkov 0 Reputation points
2026-09-02T18:56:50.27+00:00 So far no luck with finding the original key. It was over 5 years ago
Troubleshooter didn't work
As for the Pro version. I have used the same usb with Windows ISO, created a couple years ago. I am 99.9% sure it should work
-
Neil D 34,200 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-09-02T19:00:19.11+00:00 Just type winver in Search and select the top result. It should confirm the edition you have installed.
The boot USB has both Home and Pro editions so can install either. Do you select Pro edition during the installed process?
-
Sign in to comment
3 answers
Sort by: Newest
-
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(256, 10%, 34%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EIL%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Igor Leyko 112.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor2026-09-03T19:15:16.5766667+00:00 -
Igor Leyko 112.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-09-02T19:44:31.78+00:00 Can you recover your payment data?
-
Andrey Bushkov 0 Reputation points
2026-09-03T18:03:54.76+00:00 Thanks for the support guys! Recovered the original box, all good now
Sign in to comment -
-
Igor Leyko 112.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-09-02T19:25:03.95+00:00 Unfortunately, Microsoft does not store Windows product key in the account and does not know who the license owner is.
Did you buy a license in Microsoft Store, at Microsoft site or some third-party site or store? Was this a physical box or electronic purchase?
Do you have any purchase confirmation? If yes, you may ask support for re-issuing product key for you.
-
Andrey Bushkov 0 Reputation points
2026-09-02T19:38:20.3433333+00:00 I bought a physical copy in third-party online store, in a different country that I have no intent to come back to.
I will keep looking for the key,
If no luck, gonna buy a new oneThanks!
Sign in to comment -